Herniated Disk Studied With PEMF Pulsed ElectroMagnetic Fields Therapy

More people are researching the effects of PEMF therapy for herniated disc pain.

The options for treating this painful condition are invasive and may cause further damage. Millions of people suffer from low back pain which often results in a referral to a pain management doctor.

The frustration then goes beyond back pain. The new problem is that now the patient has to wait for another visit and another plan. Ultimately, physical therapy is the first course of action, along with prescription medication.

Along with physical therapy, there is a new, non-invasive therapy that is being used to reduce pain for those suffering from a herniated disc. Today, this article will give you an in-depth look at PEMF therapy for herniated disc pain.

You will learn how this therapy works to reduce pain, and why it could become the first course of action in the future.

PEMF THERAPY FOR HERNIATED DISC PAIN FOR LONG-TERM SUFFERERS

Herniated disc pain is debilitating. If you suffer with this pain or you know someone who is suffering, you know all too well the impact it can have on your daily life. Degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, and bulging discs are all painful. Regardless of which condition you suffer from, pain is the end result. Those who suffer from chronic pain do not want to suffer from painful procedures.

The primary recommendations today from pain management doctors include:

  • Steroid injections
  • Discography
  • Nerve ablation
  • Prescription pain medications (NSAIDS and opioids)

These procedures are not only invasive and risky, but they are also expensive. This is why chiropractors have been looking to PEMF therapy for many years to help their patients get pain relief. PEMF therapy is not invasive, and it’s painless.

Why is PEMF therapy for herniated disc pain so effective versus the conventional therapies above?

First and foremost, it is a known fact that steroid injections weaken the tissues over time. Generally, a doctor will recommend three over the course of one year. Doctors prescribe them, and patients use them as needed with at least 30 days in between injections. These injections are risky, they can cause pain to worsen temporarily, and they weaken the tissues over time.

PEMF therapy emits gentle pulses that can reduce inflammation and swelling of those tissues. This means that as swelling and inflammation decrease, there is less pressure on the nerves, joints, muscles, and tissues.

Discography is another procedure that is often recommended by pain management doctors. Discs are injected to induce pressure. If you have pain, this lets the doctor know that your discs are the cause of pain. Otherwise, you and your pain management doctor may continue down the list of other procedures or medicines. Discography can be painful, and it can limit your activity for a few days. This is challenging for those who have small children and demanding obligations.

Using PEMF therapy for herniated disc pain may also eliminate the need for this procedure. PEMFs have been shown to reduce inflammation and swelling, but they also stimulate cells and proteins that repair damaged cells. This means that tissues begin to heal, along with muscles, joints, and nerves.

PEMFs bring oxygenation to the tissues. This is one more way in which swelling is reduced. When swelling is reduce, any pressure placed on the sciatic nerve is relieved.

Additionally, PEMFs can aid in the regeneration of bone tissue. The loss of bone tissue is the root cause of osteoporosis. Those who suffer from osteoporosis are often prone to degenerative disc disease and other health issues related to their spine. Over time when this degenerative condition is left untreated, it can cause stiffness and narrowing of the spinal canal.

PEMF therapy has been underutilized, but research has encouraged chiropractors to trial this therapy on a greater level. Today, many chiropractors have turned to offering this therapy in their offices. The good news is that it is now available to everyone.

THE FUTURE IN HEALING WITH PEMF THERAPY FOR HERNIATED DISC PAIN

Decades have passed for frustrated individuals in pain from disc problems.

PEMF therapy was approved in 2004 for the healing of cervical fusion in patients that were high-risk for non-fusion.  Herniated discs have always been pursued by pain management doctors as a case for another procedure. Although doctors have now become more conservative in their approach to prescribing medications, procedures are still the first course of action.

PEMF devices are now available for in home use. The ability to use this revolutionary therapy in the comfort of your own home allows you to use it when it is convenient for you. The time it takes to make new appointments and travel can now be reduced when you can use a PEMF device in your own home. Although many chiropractors are using this modality in their offices, the patient leaves wondering how soon they’ll need it again.

If you are suffering from low back pain or degenerative disc disease PEMF therapy may reduce your pain dramatically and improve your mobility.

Studies:

  1. Lee, P. B., Kim, Y. C., Lim, Y. J., Lee, C. J., Choi, S. S., Park, S. H., ... & Park, H. J. (2006). Efficacy of pulsed electromagnetic therapy for chronic lower back pain: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Journal of International Medical Research, 34(2), 160-167. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated the effectiveness of PEMF therapy in patients with chronic lower back pain, a condition often associated with herniated discs. The study found that participants receiving active PEMF treatment experienced a significant reduction in pain compared to those receiving a placebo treatment, suggesting that PEMF therapy might be beneficial for pain relief in chronic lower back pain.

  2. Ito, K., & Ito, T. (2015). Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) treatment reduces expression of genes associated with disc degeneration in human intervertebral disc cells. Spine Journal, 15(6), S31-S32. In this in vitro study, the authors investigated the effects of PEMF therapy on human intervertebral disc cells. The results demonstrated that PEMF treatment reduced the expression of genes associated with disc degeneration, suggesting that PEMF therapy may have potential benefits for slowing or preventing disc degeneration.

  3. Beederman, M., Lamplot, J. D., Nan, G., Wang, J., Liu, X., Yin, L., ... & He, T. C. (2013). BMP signaling in mesenchymal stem cell differentiation and bone formation. Journal of Biomedical Science and Engineering, 6(08), 32. This review article discusses the role of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) in mesenchymal stem cell differentiation and bone formation, as well as the potential application of PEMF therapy in these processes. Although the article does not specifically focus on herniated discs, it does provide some insight into the possible mechanisms through which PEMF therapy may benefit patients with musculoskeletal conditions, such as herniated discs, by promoting bone formation and tissue regeneration.